Colonial  New  Bern  ;   New  Bern  of 
today. 


F 

264 
.N5 
C64 
1910 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2015 


https://archive.org/details/colonialnewbernn01unse 


PAMPHLET  COLLECTIO>r 

^  ^{jKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY  LIBRARY 
DURHAM,  N.  C. 


Rec'd. 


NEW  BERN 

NORTH  CAR0L1NA= 
.•-    Founded  by  De  Graffenried  in  1  7  1  0  -.' 

COLONIAL  NEW  BERN 
NEW  BERN  OF  TODAY 


Printed  and  For  Sale 
by 

Owen  G.  Dunn 
New  Bern,  N.  C. 


'^m  l^rn,  NortI|  glaraltna 


•ffinrUtilUl  new  BERIV,  ^^UU  a  :)oi;ulatiou  ot  ICOOO  inliabituuts,  lying  at  tlie  juncture  ot  two  beautiful,  deep  rivers,  the 

Neuse,  1  1-4  miles  and  the  Trent,  1-2  mile  wide,  a  peninsular  in  sUiipe,  is  tlie  center  o£  tlie  great  Cotton. 
Lumber  and  Agricultural  belt  of  the  South  Atlantic  Seaboard.  Its  unlimited  railroad  and  deep  water  facilities,  the  new  Inland 
Waterway  (12  feet  deep)  passing  through  the  harbor,  and  railroads  running  into  tlie  City  across  both  rivers  and  from  tiie  iiilscnd  in 
various  directions,  with  ample  sites  for  mauufacturiBg  industries,  utilizing  the  i*aw  niateri:tl  found  here  iu  great  abundsince,  msike 
this  one  of  the  most  desirable  Cities  in  whicli  to  locate,  in  the  entire  country. 

By  an  Act  of  Congress,  approved  March  3rd,  1909,  au  cxamiuatiou  of  the  Neuse  and  Trent  Rivers  from  the  Inland  Waterway 
(now  being  conslruited  by  the  National  Government)  has  been  made,  with  the  view  of  providing  a  clianuel  to  eontoriu  with  the  depth 
of  the  waterway,  giving  New  Bern  deeper  water  outlets  both  to  the  ocean,  at  Beaufort,  and  to  the  North  through  the  Inland  Water- 
way, stt  Norfolk,  which  will  afford  entry  to  New  Bern  of  heavier  draught  steamers  and  vessels,  both  foreign  and  domestic,  greatly 
increasing  the  present  tremendous  traliic  on  these  two  rivers,  at  Xew  Bern,  and  work  on  these  important  iniprovensents  will  begin 
at  onee. 

There  is  d<iiil(le  daily  service  in  all  directions;  only  one  hour's  ride  to  the  mighty  Atlantic,  G  hours  to  Norfolk,  10  hours  to 
Richmond  and  20  hours  to  New  York. 

ilMttttUftirlm.'ini'}  There  are  no  less  than  10  Lumber  Mills  located  around  the  City,  manufacturing  the  celebrated  N.  C.  Pine, 

3)ttJlU*ltrtrS        ~  other  varieties  for  which  New  Bern  is  famous.    Some  of  these  mills  are  the  largest  and  best  eqiBipyed 

in  the  country.    In  addition  to  these  tliere  are  4  fertilizer  factories,  2  ice  plants,  large  cotton  oil  mill,  and 

factories  iii;!nut>.etiiring  agricsiltural  impiemeuts,  boxes,  barrels  and  baskets,  carriages.  boSlers  and  mnchinery,  etc.  Also  the 
Norfolk  Soiitliei  ii  Bailsvay  CompJiny's  Sltoits  and  the  Pepsi-Cola  Plant,  all  of  which  employ  many  !ve«iple. 

Tliere  are  electric  light  siud  gas  plants,  for  ligliting,  power  and  fuel;  three  Icinks,  one  Nittional  and  two  State,  each  with  savings 
de;tartment,  conducted  on  conservative,  yet  liberal  basis,  and  two  Building  &  Loitn  Associations,  which  have  furnished  over  500 
homes. 

3IUllU''>trir'l  WctUtril  *"  unlimited  supply  of  cotton  and  lumber,  as  pine,  asb,  poplar,  gum.  cypress,  oak,  etc..  we  are  able 

^'^llUH*  *"  materials  for  hosiery,  cotton,  yarn  and  knitting  mills,  furniture,  sash,  door  and  blind  fac- 

^  *  tories.  :ind  wood  working  plants  for  the  manufacture  of  wiigons,  carriages,  novelties,  hames,  wheelbarrows, 

trucks,  trunks,  boxes,  laths,  etc.    Also  tanneries  and  trunk  and  leather  goods  factories  are  wanted  here. 

Tliere  is  ao  lisbor  problem    here — both  skilled  and  unskilled  labor  is  plentiful  and  wages  are  moderate  ^ 

^UrtritltUrill  Nowhere  in  the  United  States  may  be  found  so  varied  a  production  of  crops  as  here,  wliere  fertility  of  soil 

3^-^^JI-{|J^iJj(>|-  admits  of  3  or  4  cr«;ss  being  grown  on  same  laud  in  a  season.    Everything  required  is  grown,  and  crops  are 

'  ctiltiv:;ted  every  month  of  the  year.     Alfstfa  grows  luxuriantly,  yielding  5  or  (J  cuts  annually,  at  great  profit 

and  little  expense.  Here  agriculture  is  a  science  and  the  possibilities  are  limited  only  to  man's  capacity  to  cultivate  and  harvest 
nature's  bountiful  production. 

Cr.ttle,  mules,  horses,  hogs,  sheep  and  poultry  of  all  kinds  are  raised  with  ease  an«l  sold  right  here  at  good  profit. 

(£linttltr  CUmatic  conditions  arc  unsurpassed.     A  happy  medium  between  the  blizzard  beaten,  and  drouth  scorched 

Worth,  West  and  Northwest  and  the  enervating  climate  of  the  far  South.  Winters  are  short  and  mild. 
pr;ictiea!ly  no  snow,  (there  having  i>een  no  snow  for  three  (3)  winU-rs  pjist).  being  temjiered  by  the  <iu!f  Stream,  wliicli  flows  nearer 
the  North  Csirolina  Coast  than  !«ny  other  State,  while  the  summers  sire  pleasant  and    healthful,    cooled    by    delightful    ocean  and 

l^rttltll  Few  places  can  boast  of  New  Bern's  health  record.    The  death  rate  is  as  low  and  longevity  as  great  us  any 

place  iu  the  State.  The  dreaded  pneumonia,  lagrippe  and  kindred  diseases  so  fatal  in  bleaker  climates 
are  infreijucnt  and  mild  iu  form,  and  typhoid  is  seldom  known,  while  malaria  has  been  practically  eliminated  by  warfare  upon  the 
mosciuito,  under  municipal  supervision. 

Wrinking  ^^^■;ter  which  is  supplied  from  6  deep  artesian  wells,  is  pure  and  wholesome  and  is  under  sanitary  regulation.  Au 
excellent  sewerage  system  is  in  operation  and  every  law  of  health  is  observed. 

J^lUlUrrSS.  iUai'krtii.  New  Bern  has  kept  apace  with  the  progress  so  prevalent  in  the  South  today.  Over  a  million  dollars  have 
been  expended  here  in  a  short  period.  Among  the  recent  improvements  are  three  Chur  hes,  one  of  which. 
(!li)Urrl]Pa.  ^rljOols.  the  Methodist,  is  the  finest  In  the  State;  Hotel  Gaston,  one  of  the  best  in  the  State;  Elks'  Temple,  a  modern 
five-story,  yellow  brick  store,  offices,  lodge  and  club  rooms i  25  miles  of  concrete  sidewalks  with  granite  curbing,  and  thirty-five 
blocks  paved  with  vitrified  brick,  new  factories  lumber  mills,  school  buildings,  jail.  Iiandsome  reinforced  concrete  block  of  five 
large  stores,  and  a  number  of  modern  brick  stores,  a  new  Union  Passenger  Station  and  Railroad  Shops. 

New  Bern  jKstly  boasts  of  one  of  the  best  fish  and  oyster  markets  on  the  Coast.  This  market  is  supplied  the  year  round  with 
delicious  fish,  meats,  poultry  and  vegetables  and  with  oysters  S  months  in  the  year. 

Our  people  are  esceedEngly  hospitable,  cultured,  refined  and  industrious,  and  welcome  good  citizens  and  new  industries. 

New  Bern  is  a  City  of  Cliurches.  All  denominatious  are  represented.  The  Methodists,  Presbyterians,  Baptists,  Disciples,  Ei>is- 
cop:!li!;ns.  Roman  Catholics.  Hebrews  and  Christian  Scientists  all  have  their  houses  of  worship,  three  of  which,  the  Methodist,  Hebrew 
and  Christian  Science,  are  new  and  modern  structures. 

There  is  an  excellent  public  school  system  from  the  prin«ary  to  high  school,  preparing  for  the  various  colleges  in  the  State. 

Also  a  modern  and  well  appointed  Hospital.  Three  modern  hotels,  with  numerous  high-class  private  bearding  houses  afford  ample 
accommodation  for  tourists  looking  for  mild  and  healtliful  climate. 

A  continuous  stretch  of  inland  ivater  of  over  100  miles  affording  delightftil  motor  and  sail  boating,  yachting,  fishing  and  hunting. 

One  of  the  best  equipped  fire  departments  in  the  country.  Two  steamers,  four  (4)  roller-bearing  horse  hose  carriages  and  one 
hook  nii.^-  ladder  truck.    For  fnr'.hyr  informafion  address 


N,c- 


URING  the  summer  of  1710  settlers  from  Switzerland  and  Germany,  selecting 
a  pleasant  site  at  the  junction  of  the  Neuse  and  Trent  rivers,  in  the  Province 
of  Carolina,  laid  the  foundation  of  a  town  which  they  called  New  Berne.  Dur- 
ing- the  smnmer  of  1910  the  descendants  of  those  pioneers,  mindful  of  the  in- 
umnerable  blessings  that  liave  flowed  from  that  act  upon  themselves  and  their 
country,  purposes  to  commemorate  its  two  hundredth  anniversary  in  a  manner 
worthy  of  that  event.  They  may  well  do  so,  for  few  communities  in  the  new  world  have  had 
fl  more  interesting  history;  and  certainly  no  city  in  North  Carolina  has  more  reason  to  point 
with  pride  to  its  past  achievements  and  to  its  future  promise. 

New  Bern  was  the  second  town  in  North  Carolina.  Its  founders  were  a  small  party  of 
Swiss  from  the  province  of  Berne,  and  a  larger  body  of  German  Protestants  from  the  Pala- 
tinate on  the  Rhine.   The  Palatines  sailed  from  England,  where  they  had  gone  to  seek  refuge 


01d<'St  House  iu  Craveu  County,  »w  Bern,  >.  < 


P  /7  Z^o 


from  relii>ious  })ei'seeution  in  their  own  conutry,  in  January,  1710,  After  a  terrible  voyage  o? 
thirteen  weeks,  during  which  half  of  their  nuni  ber  died,  they  landed  in  Virginia,  and  thence 
marched  overland  to  the  place  selected  for  their  settlement  by  the  surveyor  general  of  the  pro- 
vince, "on  a  tongue  of  land  between  the  'News'  and  Trent  rivers,  called  Chattawka,  where  af- 
terwards was  founded  the  small  city  of  New  Berne."  In  September,  1710,  they  were  joined 
by  the  leader  of  the  colony.  Baron  de  Graffenri  ed,  with  his  Bernese  Swiss.  De  Graffenried 
found  the  Germans  in  a  most  pitiable  situation,  they  having  been  forced  "to  sell  nearly  all 
their  clothes  and  movables  to  the  neighboring  inhabitants,  in  order  to  sustain  their  life."  He 
set  to  work  vigorously  to  relieve  their  wants,  and  in  a  short  time  had  the  colony  on  its  feet 
on  the  road  to  prosperity. 

But  before  the  "townlet  of  New  Berne,"  as  De  Graffenried  called  it,  was  a  year  old,  the 
greatest  Indian  war  in  the  history  of  North  Carolina  broke  out  and  all  the  Neuse  section  was 
swept  by  a  whirlwind  of  murder  and  pillage.  It  was  while  the  savages  were  secretly  preparing 
for  this  war  that  De  Gratfenried  and  the  surveyor,  John  Lawson,  set  out  up  the  Neuse  on  an 
exploring  exi^edition.  They  were  promptly  captured  and  carried  before  the  council  of  the  red 
men  for  trial.  De  Graffenried,  by  a  clever  ruse  succeeded  in  effecting  his  escape,  but  Lawson 
was  condemned  and  executed.  Tradition  affirms  that  his  body  was  stuck  lull  of  fat  light- 
wood  splinters  and  then  burned;  but  De  Graffenried  in  his  account  of  their  adventure  says: 
"In  the  meanwhile,  they  executed  the  unfortunate  Lawson;  as  to  his  death,  I  know  nothing 
certain.  Some  Indians  told  me  that  he  was  threatened  to  have  his  throat  cut  with  the  razor 
which  was  found  in  his  pocket;  but  some  said  he  was  hung,  some  said  he  was  burnt.  The 
Indians  kept  that  execution  very  secret.  God  have  mercy  upon  the  poor  soul."  The  Indian 
war  reduced  the  little  colony  to  a  pitiful  condition.  Their  number,  too,  was  greatly  de- 
creased, only  "forty  men  able  to  fight  and  a  crowd  of  women  and  children"  being  left.  Fi- 
nally through  the  generous  aid  of  South  Carolina  after  three  years  of  fighting,  the  Indians 
were  beaten  and  their  power  crushed  forever. 

While  this  war  was  in  progress  De  Graff' enried  returned  to  Europe,  leaving  his  country- 
men and  the  Germans  to  struggle  along  alone  as  best  they  could.  Fortunately  the  colony  sur- 
vived the  dark  days  of  the  war,  and  during  the  next  decade  maintained  a  brave  struggle  for 
existence.  Their  eff'orts  were  at  last  crowned  with  success.  The  year  1723  marked  an  epoch 
in  the  history  of  the  "townlet"  on  the  Neuse.  In  that  year  New  Bern  was  laid  off  into  streets 
and  lots,  and  the  town  started  on  its  career  of  progress.  The  Indians  having  been  driven  out 
of  the  country,  white  settlers  poured  in,  and  New  Bern  became  the  center  of  a  thickly  popu- 
lated section.  Another  body  of  Swiss-German  immigrants  joined  their  b-rethren  in  the  year 
1732,  taking  up  lands  in  what  are  now  Jones  and  Cnslow  counties.  Trade  and  ccmmerce  be- 
gan to  flourish. 

About  this  time  the  German  and  Swiss  settlers  began  to  anglicise  their  names.  Mohr 
became  Moor,  Elbach  became  Eybock  or  Hypoek,  Grum  became  Croom,  Eisler  became  Esler 
or  Isler,  Mueller  became  Miller,  Coxedaile  beaame  Cogdell. 

The  history  of  the  settlement  from  now  on  is  a  story  of  continuous  progress.  A  bare  men- 
tion of  many  important  events  is  all  that  can  be  given  here,  but  that  is  sufficient  to  substatiate 
this  statement.  In  March,  1738,  New  Bern  had  become  of  sufficient  importance  for  the  sessions 
of  the  General  Assembly  of  the  Province  to  be  held  there.  In  1739  the  great  evangelist,  Geo. 
Whitfield,  preached  in  New  Berne.  In  1740  the  Palatines  and  Baptists  petitioned  for  permis- 
sion to  erect  churches  there.  During  the  same  year  the  assembly  passed  an  act  for  the  erction 
of  an  Episcopal  church,  reciting  the  fact  that  the  vestry  had  already  made  100,000  bricks  to 
be  used  for  that  purpose.  In  1741  the  county  of  Craven  was  erected  into  Christ  Church  Par- 
ish. In  1749,  James  Davis  came  to  New  Bern,  and  set  up  the  first  printing  press  in  North 
Carolina.  In  1752  he  issued  from  his  press  the  first  book  printed  in  the  colony,  a  volume  of 
the  provincial  laws,  bound  in  yellow  leather,  and  hence  called  the  "Yellow  Jacket."  On 
June  1,  1764,  he  issued  the  first  number  of  the  first  newspaper  in  the  colony  called  "The  North 
Carolina  Magazine,  or  Universal  Intelligencer."    During  the  same  year  the  assembly  passed 


4 


a  law  establishing  a  school  in  New  Bern,  which  two  years  later  was  incorporated  and  thns 
became  the  first  school  ever  incorporated  in  the  State.  It  was  the  New  Bern  Academy,  from 
which  many  of  the  State's  most  eminent  citizens  were  graduated,  among  them  being  William 
Gaston,  George  E.  Badger,  John  Stanly,  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  and  Francis  L.  Hawks.  By 
this  time  New  Berne  had  become  the  largest  town  in  the  Province,  the  center  of  culture  and 
of  education,  the  capital  and  political  center  as  well  as  the  chief  port. 

On  January  9,  1767,  was  begun  at  New  Berne  the  famous  Try  on 's  Palace,  for  which  that 
popular  colonial  governor  has  in  recent  years  l)een  so  undeservedly  abused.  The  total  sum 
voted  for  its  construction  amounted  in  our  money,  to  about  $75,000.  The  l)ui]ding  was 
])lanned  l)y  John  Hawks,  a  Moor  from  the  Island  of  Malta.  It  was  completed  in  Octolier, 
1779.  At  that  time  it  was  generally  regarded  as  the  handsomest  building  in  America.  It 
contained  the  executive  offices,  halls  for  the  academy  and  was  the  residence  of  the  governor. 
The  "Palace"  is  thus  described  in  Morse's  Geography  (1789):  "The  palace  was  erected  by 
the  province  before  the  Revolution,  and  was  formerly  the  residence  of  the  governors.  It  is 
large  and  elegant,  two  stories  high,  with  two  wings  for  offices,  a  little  advanced  in  front  to- 


Tijoii  I'aliice,  >ew  IJern,  >.  ('.,  part  of  ivliich  is  uoiv  standing. 

wards  the  town;  these  wings  are  C(..nnected  with  the  i^rincipal  building  by  a  circular  arcade. 
It  is  much  out  of  repair;  and  the  only  use  to  which  this  once  handsome  and  well  furnished 
building  is  now  applied  is  for  schools.  One  of  the  halls  is  used  for  a  school  and  another  for  a 
dancing  room.  The  arms  of  Great  Britain  still  appear  on  a  pediment  in  front  of  the  building. ' ' 
In  1798  a  negro  woman  carried  a  lightwood  torch  into  the  cellar,  filled  with  wood  and  hay. 
There  is  scarcely  any  need  to  tell  the  rest  of  the  story.  Yet  it  may  be  said  that  one  of  the  wings 
escaped  the  flames  and  is  still  in  use  as  a  residence.  Much  abuse  has  been  heaped  upon  the 
head  of  Governor  Tryon  for  his  part  in  the  erection  of  this  building;  but  in  fact  it  was  a  wise 
act,  and  the  criticism  if  any  is  to  lie  employed,  should  be  aimed  at  those  whose  carelessness  per- 
mitted fill's  historic  structure  to  lie  destroyed. 

New  Bern,  in  spite  of  its  being  the  home  of  the  royal  governor,  was  early  lo  the  front  in 


5 


the  "common  cause"  at  the  outbreak  of  the  Revolution.  In  the  persons  of  Alexander  Gaston 
(father  of  William  Gaston),  Kichard  Cogdell,  Abner  Nash,  Joseph  Leech,  James  Coor,  Richard 
Dobbs  Spaight,  and  others  the  town  furnished  many  of  the  foremost  among  the  patriot  leaders 
of  that  struggle.  It  was  at  New  Berne  that  the  lirst  Congress  of  North  Carolina,  independent 
of  the  royal  authority,  met,  August  25,  1775.  This  Congress  gave  expression  to  the  American 
position  on  the  issue  in  dispute  with  the  mother  country  in  a  series  of  spirited  and  clear-cut  res- 
olutions; declared  for  a  Continental  Congress,  and  elected  William  Hooper,  Joseph  Hewes  and 
Richard  Caswell  delegates.  It  was  at  New  Bern,  too,  on  April  3,  1775,  that  the  second  Pro- 
vincial Congress  met,  and  on  April  4,  1775,  that  the  last  assembly  called  by  the  royal  author- 
ity convened.  After  a  stormy  session  of  five  days.  Governor  Martin,  on  April  8,  1775,  issued 
his  proclamation  dissolving  the  assembly,  thus  I  ringing  British  rule  in  North  Carolina  to  an 
end  forever.  A  few  days  later,  the  New  Berne  committee  of  safety,  under  the  leadership  of 
Abner  Nash,  whom  Governor  Martin  denounced  as  "the  oracle  of  the  committee  and  a  prin- 
cipal promoter  of  sedition,"  surrounded  the  "palace",  drove  the  royal  governor  out  and  took 
possession.  The  next  governor  to  occupy  the  "palace"  was  Richard  Caswell,  the  first  gov- 
ernor of  the  independent  State  of  North  Carolina,  who  took  the  oath  of  office  at  the  "palace" 
in  New  Berne,  January  16,  1777.  The  first  assembly  of  the  State,  after  the  Declaration  of 
Independence,  met  in  New  Berne,  April  7,  1777.  Thus  within  a  year's  time.  New  Bern  saw  the 
downfall  of  the  royal  government  and  the  establishment  of  the  government  of  the  independent 


J 


EpiscoiKil  (  Imrcli,  >ew  Hern,  X.  ('.,  SlKnuiis'  Old  Oak  Tree  iindfr  wlik-li  Geo.  W.isliiiigtoii  stood. 

State  of  North  Carolina.  To  the  overthrow  of  the  former  and  to  the  maintenance  of  the  latter 
New  Berne  has  contributed  her  full  share  for  which  she  well  deserves  the  gratitude  of  the 
State. 

How  well  this  historic  city  has  served  the  State  may  l)e  Judged  from  a  mere  enumeration 
of  the  public  men  she  has  contributed.  Such  enumeration  is  not  always  an  evidence  of  the 
highest  and  best  service,  and  it  does  not  by  any  means  follow  that  all  of  those  na.ines  are  here 
given  deserve  to  be  ranked  among  the  jewels  of  the  commonwealth.  It  is  not  too  much  to  say, 
however,  that  there  is  no  community  in  America  whose  annals  would  not  be  enriched  if  it 
could  add  to  its  list  of  distinguished  citizens  the  names  of  William  Gaston,  Abner  Nash,  Geo. 
E.  Badger,  John  II.  Bryan,  Jolm  Stanly,  Matthias  E.  Manly,  and  some  others  to  be  hereafter 
mentioned.  New  Berne  has  given  to  the  State  three  of  her  governors,  Abner  Nash,  Richard 
Dobbs  Spaight,  Sr.,  and  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  Jr. 

In  the  list  of  North  Carolina's  jurists  must  appear  the  following  whom  New  Berne  has 


6 


contributed  to  the  bench  of  the  State:  William  Graston,  George  E.  Badger,  Edward  Harriss, 
John  R.  Donnell,  Matthias  E.  Manly,  Owen  H.  Guion,  W.  L.  Clarke  and  David  L.  Ward.  To 
the  Continental  Congress  New  Bern  sent  Abner  Nash,  William  Blount,  Richard  Dobbs 
Spaight,  Sr.,  and  John  Sitgreaves.  To  the  Congress  of  the  United  States  she  has  been  repre- 
sented in  the  Senate  in  the  persons  of  George  E.  Badger  and  Furnifold  M.  Simmons;  while  to 
the  House  of  Representatives  she  has  sent  the  following:  Richard  Dobbs  Spaight,  Sr.,  John 
Stanly,  William  Blackledge,  William  Gaston,  John  H.  Bryan,  Charles  Shepard,  William  H. 
Washington,  Richard  S.  Donnell,  David  Heat  on,  Charles  R.  Thomas,  Sr.,  Orlando  Hubbs, 
Charles  R.  Thomas,  Jr.,  William  B.  Shepard  and  Edward  Stanly.  The  following  of  New  Bern's 
sons  have  presided  over  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representatives  of  North  Carolina:  Abner 
Nash,  James  Coor,  William  Blount,  Richard  Do))bs  Spaight,  Sr.,  John  Sitgreaves,  William 
Gaston,  John  Stanly,  Richard  S.  Donnell,  and  Owen  H.  Guion. 

In  1873  Stephen  F.  Miller,  author  of  the  well  known  "Bench  and  Bar  of  Georgia,"  who 
passed  his  early  years  in  New  Berne,  wrote  his  "Recollections  of  New  Bern  Fifty  Years  Ago" 
in  which  he  portrays  many  of  New  Berne 's  mo  st  eminent  citizens  of  that  time.  Oi  John  Stanly 
he  says: 


Uesidenoe  of  James  A.  Bryan,,  foriiieilj  Residence  of  Jolm  Stanlj. 

"John  Stanly  was  foremost  (among  the  lawyers)  in  age  and  natural  gifts.  His  voice  was 
strong,  clear  and  musical,  and  his  manner  peculiarly  graceful  and  dignified.  In  repartee 
and  sarcasm  I  never  saw  his  equal.  His  efforts  in  that  line  were  absolutely  withering.  The 
composure  of  no  suitor,  witness  or  rival  advocate  could  survive  his  pungent  criticism.  Ever 
bold  and  fearless,  he  at  once  rose  to  the  breadth  of  the  occasion,  always  wielding  a  polished 
cimitter  with  the  energy  of  a  giant  and  the  sk  ill  of  an  artist. ' ' 

Probably  no  one  will  be  found  to  contradict  the  statement  that  of  all  her  eminent  citizens. 
New" Bern  is  proudest  of  her  Gaston.  Of  him  Miller  says:  "William  Gaston  was  an  orna- 
ment of  the  Bar,  of  Congress,  of  the  State  Legislature,  and  of  the  Bench  of  the  Supreme  Court, 
in  all  of  which  positions  the  ascendancy  of  his  virtues,  intellect  and  learning  was  acknowl- 


7 


edged.  *  *  *  It  was  my  privilege  to  hear  Mr.  Gastoii  frequently  in  court,  wrestling 
with  his  great  professional  rival,  Mr.  Stanly,  in  all  that  constitutes  and  tries  the  strength  of 
character.  I  have  heard  no  ett'orts  since  equal  in  ability,  logic  and  eloquence.  My  youthful 
imagination  was  completely  dozed,  and  now,  in  my  sixty-eighth  year,  I  recall  those  scenes  as 
the  greatest  forensic  triumphs  I  ever  witnessed.  He  was  diffident  and  when  he  first  rose  to  ad- 
dress the  court  or  jury,  he  trembled  perceptibly,  but  in  a  few  moments  he  was  self-possessed, 
and  commanded  profound  attention.  He  was  uniformly  respectful  to  the  suitor  and  witnesses, 
to  the  Court  and  to  his  brethren  of  the  bar.  When  he  closed  a  speech,  the  whole  subject- 
matter,  both  evidence  and  law  had  been  exhausted  by  analysis  and  the  mind  rested  with  perfect 
confidence  in  the  conclusions  uttered.  There  was  no  touch  of  sophistry  to  mislead,  and  no  mys- 
terious phrase  or  look  to  bewilder  the  jury.  All  was  luminous  as  a  sunbeam.  His  face  ex- 
pressed the  benignity  of  soul  which  animated  his  whole  life."  Standing  by  the  tomb  of  Gas- 
ton in  Cedar  Grove  Cemetery,  New  Berne,  his  former  friend  and  correspondent,  the  distin- 
guished Edward  Everett,  raising  liis  hat,  said:  "This  eminent  man  had  few  equals  and  no 
superiors. ' ' 

Of  Francis  L.  Hawks,  eminent  as  lawyer,  theologian,  and  historian.  Miller  says:  "His 
voice  was  the  richest  imaginable,  his  language  copious  and  beautiful,  his  manner  very  impres- 
sive. I  was  fond  of  hearing  him  in  argument  opposed  to  the  veterans  Stanly  and  Gaston,  and 
my  feelings  were  always  on  the  nide  of  young  prodigy,  as  I  considered  Mr.  Hawks.  *  *  * 
Not  only  was  Dr.  Hawks  one  of  the  most  eloquent  speakers  in  America,  but  he  was  also 
chaste  and  voluminous  author.  He  was  eminent  in  letters  as  well  as  in  oratory.  He  was  th6 
best  reader  I  ever  heard.  Even  a  dry  statute  was  intresting  under  the  music  of  his  voice. 
His  gifts  and  labors  considered  together,  the  ancient  town  of  New  Berne  has  never  produced 
another  son  of  such  literary  accomplishments  to  adorn  the  age  of  her  Gaston  and  Stanlys. 
When  once  remonstrated  with  by  a  parishioner,  who,  (unwilling  to  resign  his  rector  to  a  more 
lucrative  field  to  which  he  had  just  been  invited )  reminded  him  that  the  ' '  young  ravens  would 
be  fed";  "Ah,  yes,"  replied  the  reverend  gentleman,  "but  unfortunately  there  is  no  such 
promise  for  the  young  Hawks. ' ' 

Mr.  Miller's  recollection  of  John  H.  Bryan  is  that  he  was  very  logical  and  earnest  as  a 
speaker.     *     *  "I  have  not  seen  Mr.  Bryan  within  the  last  forty-nine  years,"  he  says, 

"but  I  have  a  distinct  recollection  of  his  ample  forehead,  his  intelligent  face  and  courteous 
manner. ' '  Judge  John  E.  Donnell,  he  says,  was  a  man  of  strict  integrity,  as  well  as  a  kind, 
considerate,  generous  neighbor. 

Many  other  great  historic  events  and  many  other  eminent  historic  personages  connected 
with  the  history  of  New  Berne  might  be  mentioned  with  both  interest  and  profit,  but  the  scope 
of  this  article  forbids.  There  is  left  now  for  but  one  other  incident  in  her  history  which  after 
the  lapse  of  nearly  two  centuries  brought  her  again  in  close  contact  with  the  parent  city 
among  the  Alps. 

In  the  year  1891  the  city  of  Berne  celebrated  the  seven  hundredth  anniversary  of  her  foun- 
dation. By  special  invitation  from  the  city  authorities  the  city  of  New  Berne  sent  her  mayor 
to  represent  her  on  that  occasion.  Three  years  later  the  city  council  of  New  Berne  adopted 
the  armorial  bearins  and  colors  of  the  parent  city,  and  in  1896  the  Council  of  Bughesses  of 
the  city  of  Berne  presented  to  her  offspring  the  famous  banner  of  Berne,  ' '  displaying  the  arms 
of  our  city  and  the  date,  1891,  in  remembrance  of  the  celebration  of  that  memorable  anniver- 
sary and  of  the  birth  of  friendly  relations  between  the  two  cities  on  this  occasion,"  In  pre- 
senting this  banner  to  the  mayor  and  city  council  of  New  Berne,  February  27,  1896,  the  Swiss 
minister  to  the  United  States,  after  quoting  a  paragraph  from  Washington's  farewell  mes- 
sage, exclaimed: 

"Noble  old  city  beyond  the  sea,  surrounded  by  Jura  and  the  Alps!  Thou  returnest  in 
handing  over  thy  glorious  banner  the  greetings  which  thy  daugliter  brought  to  thee  on  the 


8 


seven  Imndredtli  hirthday  and  the  homage  slie  rendered  to  thee  in  assnming'  thy  color  and 
symboL 

"Noble  city,  thou  mayst  be  trustful:  Thy  banner  is  well  kept  and  well  preserved  in  the 
country  where  Washington's  noble  words  are  still  living — words  which  are  in  harmony  with 
thy  endeavors. 

"Citizens  of  New  Bern:  When  the  Bernese,  Christopher  de  Graff euried,  founded  your 
city,  it  was  standing  here  as  a  dangerous  outpost  of  civilization  at  a  time  when  savages  still 
held  possession  of  the  country.  Your  ancestors  contributed  to  make  this  beautiful  and  great 
country  habitable,  and  then  free.  You  will  be  loyal  to  this  banner  if  you,  mindful  of  its  and 
your  origin,  shall  keep  awake  the  love  of  liberty  and  justice  which  is  common  to  the  cities 
of  Ertach  and  Haller,  to  the  country  of  Tell  and  Pestalozzi,  as  well  as  to  the  country  which 
Washington  founded  and  which  Lincoln  ennobled  and  preserved. 

"Mr.  Mayor,  citizens  of  New  Bern:  Let  this  banner  fly  under  the  shadow  of  the  star 
spangled  banner:  both  lead  to  the  peaceful  struggle  for  the  welfare  of  mankind  " 


9 


Resideuce  of  Mr.  E»  K.  Bishop,.  JVew  Kern,,  N.  C. 


MEW  BSMlf  O'F  T'O'DMY 


  INTER  and  Summer,  the  whole  year  round,  New  Bern  and  its  vicinity  possess 

Wfor  the  stranger  attractions  hardly  known  in  any  other  part  of  the  country. 
The  climate  is  delightful,  with  the  breezes  from  Pamlico  Sound  to  temper  its 
Summer  and  from  the  Grulf  Stream  to  moderate  the  Winter,  all  out-door  exer- 

 '       cises  can  be  constantly  engaged  in  for  the  entire  year.    New  Bern  is  a  good 

place  to  live  in,  and  a  good  place  in  which  to  make  a  living — the  opportunity  to 
make  money  and  also  to  enjoy  it  are  both  here.   New  Bern  is  destined  to  become 
a  favorite  Southern  Winter  resort.    Health  and  pleasure  seekers  will  find  hunting  and  fish- 
ing excellent. 

It  is  an  ideal  field  for  the  gunner,  angler  and  yachtsman.  The  growth  and  development 
of  New  Bern  has  been  steady  and  satisfactory.  True,  she  owes  her  prosperity,  in  large  meas- 
ure, to  the  natural  position  she  occupied,  locat  ed  at  the  junction  of  the  Neuse  and  Trent  Riv- 
ers, and  today  the  City  founded  by  DeGraffenried  contains  a  population  of  over  16,000  souls 

STEADY  GROWTH 

On  every  side  may  he  witnessed  evidences  of  steady  growth  and  progress.    The  town  no 


Elks  T<Mii|»le.  NtMv  Bt-ni.  \.  (  . 

lono-er  presents  its  old  appearance.  Within  the  short  time  of  less  than  two  years,  the  city's 
mcorporated  limits  have  been  extended  very  considerably,  muddy  streets  have  given  way  to 
paved  ones,  while  her  sidewalks,  which  formerly  at  their  best,  but  poorly  served  the  pedes- 


11 


trian  are  now  coneieted  to  tlie  extreme  ))or(lers  of  the  city,  for  a  distance  a])i)roximatin,o; 
twenty-live  miles. 

The  traveler  approaching  the  city  can  but  observe  the  improved  order  of  conditions,  at 
every  tnrn,  and  by  Fall  will  enter  the  handsome  new  miion  passenger  station,  on  which  work 
is  in  progress,  either  transferring  to  cars  from  points  on  the  various  divisions  of  the  roads  en- 
tering the  city,  or  else  will  be  driven  to  hotels  or  places  of  busmess,  over  smooth  and  well 
paved  streets,  or  if  perchance  the  visitor  should  preier  to  walk,  he  may  stroll  over  the  city 
for  miles  and  not  put  loot  to  the  earth. 

INCREASED  POPULATION 

New  Bern's  population  has  almost  doubled  in  the  past  decade.  The  census  of  1890  gave 
the  city  only  9,000,  whereas  in  1909  the  local  pest-office  enumeration  showed  the  population  to 
have  increased  to  nearly  16,000,  and  in  the  next  ten  years  will  be  seen  possibly  an  increased 
population  over  twice  that  size.  The  entire  population  of  Craven  county,  of  which  New  Bern 
is  the  county  seat,  was  only  16,268  in  1860.  Several  things  enter  into  the  cause  of  New 
Bern's  rapid  growth  and  increased  population,  among  which  may  be  noted  the  new  industries 
locating  m  the  city,  which  increase  the  demand  for  labor,  also  the  improved  schedules  over 
the  various  railroad  divisions  have  placed  this  community  in  touch  with  points  in  the  East- 
ern and  Central  portions  of  this  and  adjoining  States,  enabling  traveling  salesmen  and  others 
to  reside  in  the  city  who  otherwise  would  seek  more  central  locations. 

NEW  INDUSTRIES 

Several  new  and  very  sul)stantial  manufacturing  plants  have  begun  operations  at  New 
Bern  during  the  past  year,  adding  materially  to  the  progress  of  the  place  and  proving  a  val- 
uable asset  in  the  way  of  circulating  money  through  the  wages  of  increased  labor  and  a  gen- 
eral exxchange  of  business. 

Among  the  new  industries  may  be  mentioned  the  large  modern  saw  mill  of  the  John  L. 
Roper  Lumber  Company,  which  is  operated  throughout  by  electricity,  and  which  has  a  daily 
capacity  of  125,000  feet.  This  plant  employs  300  or  more  hands  at  the  mill,  and  is  probably 
one  of  the  best  equipped  mills  in  the  South. 

The  Peoples  Ice  Company  has  just  begun  to  manufacture  ice  from  their  new  plant,  mak- 
ing two  ice  factories  that  supply  the  local,  as  well  as  a  large  trade  from  outside  of  the  city. 

The  New  Bern  Box  Company,  a  New  York  corporation  has  comi^leted  its  modern  plant 
within  the  past  few  months,  and  is  now  shipping  its  product  to  the  North.  This  mill  has  a 
daily  capacity  of  a  carload  of  boxes,  and  at  the  present  time  is  vrorking  about  75  hands. 

The  Craven  Foundry  and  Machine  Works,  a  new  and  modern  plant,  is  now  working  to  its 
full  capacity,  employing  a  number  of  skilled  mechanics  and  helpers.  This  plant  with  the  New 
Bern  Iron  Works  and  Supply  Company,  gives  the  city  two  large  first-class  machine  shops  and 
foundries  which  are  capable  of  pi-operly  caring  for  the  requirements  of  a  large  section  of  sur- 
rounding country  ,of  which  New  Bern  is  an  accessable  center,  both  by  rail  and  water. 

The  Chemical  Lime  Company  is  another  industry  to  begin  operations  at  New  Bern  quite 
recently.  This  plant  is  burning  the  shell,  or  coquena  rock  into  lime,  which  has  great  value  in 
an  agricultural  way  and  is  being  very  successfully  operated  by  local  capitalists.  This  rock 
which  is  found  in  large  quantities  along  the  Neuse  and  Trent  rivers,  just  aliove  the  city,  pos- 
sesses ([ualities  which  are  thought  capable  of  being  successfully  converted  into  b.uilcling  lime 
as  well. 

The  Agricultural  Lime  Company,  another  plant  to  start  here  a  few  months  ago  by  local 
capitalists,  is  producing  a  grade  of  lime  from  marl,  which  is  used  for  agricultural  purposes 
as  well  as  for  a  filler  for  fertilizers  manufactured  at  New  Bern.    This  i>lant  is  similar  to  the 


12 


Itt  >si(l<  iii  e  ot  ->lr.  W.  B.  Blades,  New  Beru,  ^.  C. 


llesidence  <»f  Mr.  E.  H.  Meadows,  ?iew  Beru^  N.  €. 


Porter-Brown  Chemical  Company,  here,  wliich  also  manufactures  and  ships  this  product  to  all 
points  in  the  State,  as  well  as  supplymg  the  requirements  of  the  local  demand. 

The  marl  which  enters  into  the  manufacture  of  this  lime  and  is  found  in  large  quantities 
along  the  Neuse  and  Trent  rivers  just  above  New  Bern,  is  composed  of  decomposed  sea  shells, 
bones  and  other  alluvial  or  flood  deposits  and  is  rich  in  lime  value,  being  used  largely  among 
farmers  and  truck  gardeners  to  relieve  the  sourness  in  the  soil,  as  well  as  for  fertilizing  pur- 
poses. Thus  it  will  be  seen  that  two  characters  of  agricultural  lime  are  being  made  from  two 
varieties  of  raw  material  at  New  Bern. 

Industries  and  Articles  Manufactured 

In  addition  to  the  industries  mentioned  in  a  preceding  paragraph,  there  are  located  in 
New  Bern  a  number  of  plants  engaged  in  the  m  anufacture  of  various  articles,  the  principal 
ones  being  lumber,  fertilizers,  lime  cotton  seed  meal  and  oil,  agricultural  implements,  liarrels, 
crates,  boxes,  buggies,  ice,  cereals,  m^edicines,  machinery  structural  iron  and  steel  and  soft 
drinks — Pepsi-Cola,  the  soft  drink  that  is  making  New  Bern  famous. 


L   ■  -  -J 

Plant  and  OtKces  of  the  Pepsi-Cola  (dnipanj.  .\t>v  IWrn,  (. 

NEW  RAILROAD  SHOPS 

Under  the  head  of  new  industries  may  pro[Kn'ly  be  classed  the  new  shops  of  the  Norfolk 
Southern  Railroad  Company,  which  are  to  be  built  to  replace  the  shops  l)urned  here  some 
months  ago. 

These  shops  will  be  large  and  equipped  with  improved  and  modern  machinery,  affording 
employment  to  a  large  force  of  mechanics  and  other  workmen,  which  will  greatly  increase  the 
city's  wage  income. 

The  Chamber  of  Commerce  has  reliable  information  that  other  large  plants  are  to  soon 
locate  at  New  Bern,  and  is  now  negotiating  with  others,  with  the  view  of  having  them  settle 
here  also. 


15 


FERTILIZERS 

The  mannfacture  of  commercial  fertilizers  is  one  of  New  Bern's  leading  industries.  There 
are  a  number  of  plants  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  fertilizers  at  New  Bern,  among  which 
are  the  New  Bern  Cotton  Oil  &  Fertilizer  Mills,  E.  H.  &  J.  A.  Meadows,  Virginia-Carolina 
Chemical  Company,  Craven  Chemical  Company,  and  D.  B.  Martin  &  Company,  while  the 
Pokomoke  Guano  Company  and  Baugh  &  Company,  of  Norfolk,  maintain  agencies  with  com- 
modious warehouses  here.  A  number  of  the  above  fertilizer  mills  have  either  enlarged  their 
])hants  quite  recently  or  have  under  consideration  doing  so  in  the  near  future. 

There  are  manufactured  at  New  Bern  during  the  year  about  75,000  tons  of  commercial 
fertilizers,  and  about  25,000  tons  are  shipped  in  from  Norfolk  and  elsewhere,  making  a  total 
of  about  100,000  tons  of  commercial  fertilizers  that  are  shipped  from  New  Bern  during  the 
season,  l>y  rail  and  water  to  various  ]ioints  in  the  State,  with  a  valuation  of  about  $'2,000,000. 

AGRICULTURE 

Farming  is  a  very  important  industry  around  New  Bern.  The  land  is  fertile  and  is 
capable  of  growing  several  crops  on  the  same  land  in  one  season.  Crops  grow  and  the 
land  may  be  cultivated  throughout  the  whole  year.  Every  thing  required  may  be  grown  with 
good  profit. 

Alfafa  has  become  a  valuable  staple  crop,  is  easily  cultivated  and  earns  $G0  to  $75  per 
acre  a  season,  yielding  five  or  six  tons  which  is  readily  sold  for  $15.00  a  ton  in  the  city.  Native 
grass  which  make  nutritious  hay,  follow  any  crop. 


Alfafa,  (iioiMi  at  New  Bern,  N.  C,  sowed  Septenilier  imi,  cut  four  times  in  V,m,  .yielding  oyer  four  tons  to  the 
acre.    Sold  in  Neyv  Bern  at  $1.5.00  per  ton. 

The  staple  crops  are  cotton,  corn,  oats,  cow  peas,  sweet  and  Irish  potatoes,  clovers,  water- 
melons, peanuts,  savoy  lieans,  rutal)agas,  turnips,  etc.,  while  a  considerable  acreage  in  truck 


16 


is  cultivated  for  shipment  to  the  North,  and  for  the  home  trade.  Berries  and  fruit  are  also 
profitably  grown. 

Cattle,  mules,  horses,  hogs,  sheep  and  poultry  of  all  kinds,  such  as  fowls,  ducks,  geese, 
turkeys,  etc.,  are  raised  and  do  well  here,  for  which  there  is  a  good  and  profitable  demand. 


South  Downs  in  Oak  Grove,  near  Xew  IJern,  >.  ( . 

RESOURCES  AND  ADVANTAGES 

After  all,  a  community  is  rich  only  in  }!ro portion  to  the  value  of  its  resources,  and  we 
claim  that  few  places  anywhere  enjoy  more  valnal)le  resources  and  natural  advantages  than 
are  found  around  New  Bern. 

We  will  place  before  our  readers,  the  resources  of  our  section,  as  briefh'  as  possible,  in 
the  following  paragraphs  and  would  invite  your  careful  attention  thereto: 

The  leading  resources  found  at  New  Bern  are  lumber,  fish  and  oysters,  agriculture,  un- 
surpassed water  facilities  and  good  j-ailroad  service. 

TIMBER  AND  LUMBER 

Not  many  years  back,  when  North  Carolina  pine,  now  known  all  over  the  world — had  little 
commercial  value,  it  was  a  common  sight  to  see  long  rafts  of  magnificent  virgin  pine  timber 
being  brought  to  the  city  and  going  begging  at  from  $1  to  $3  per  1,000  feet,  only  one  mill  was 
in  operation  at  the  time  and  as  there  was  practically  no  demand  for  North  Carolina  pine  in 
the  North,  our  pioneer  mill,  which  was  owned  and  operated  by  the  late  Samuel  Radclitf,  en- 
joyed the  pick  of  the  finest  pine  timber  through  which  a  saw  was  ever  run.  Our  people  up 
to  this  time  had  disdained  using  anything  except  the  very  best  grades  of  heart  timber  for 
building  purposes,  which  was  plentiful  around  New  Bern  and  almost  as  cheap  as  dirt. 

Our  farmers  who  owned  thonsands  of  acres  of  virgin  pine  forests  considered  themselves 


17 


Hiirvestiiig    oats  in  June  tliat  were  sowed  in  January,  at  New  Bern,  N.  C. 

land  iioor,  and  destroyed  millions  of  feet  of  valuable  timber  in  opening  up  their  forests  for 
the  plough.  They  little  dreamed  that  in  a  few  years  their  land  with  its  virgin  growth  of  val- 
uable pine,  which  at  that  time  could  scarcely  be  given  away,  would,  as  if  by  magic,  raise 
them  from  dire  poverty  to  great  wealth.  Even  when  i^rosperity  loomed  up  before  them, 
they  were  powerless  and  without  means  and  in  many  cases  disposed  of  their  valuable  holdings 
for  mere  pittances. 

The  advent  of  the  Northern  capitalists  into  New  Bern  and  the  construction  of  modern 
mills  however,  were  the  prime  factors  in  creating  values  in  our  timber  forests  and  had  it  not 
been  for  these  developments,  the  community  could  not  be  what  it  is  today,  nor  would  we  have 
had  the  benefit  of  the  Northern  mill  men's  presence  and  capital,  many  of  whom  are  still  with 
us  or  are  represented  by  descendants. 

Contrasting  the  conditions  found  in  New  Bern  today,  witli  those  of  a  cjuarter  century 
ago,  marked  changes  have  been  wrought  and  the  place  is  steadily  and  surely  forging  ahead. 

There  are  today  nearly  a  score  of  lumber  mills  busily  engaged  in  the  manufacture  of  the 
now  famous  North  Carolina  pine,  in  the  New  Bern  section,  some  of  which  are  the  most  mod- 
ern and  best  equipped  in  the  South.  These  mills  work  about  5,000  employes  at  the  mills  and 
in  the  woods,  having  an  annual  capacity  of  about  175,000,000  feet. 

There  were  shipped  from  the  New  Bern  mills  during  1909,  11-1,992,688  feet  of  North  Car- 
olina pine,  with  a  valuation  of  about  $2,000,000.  New  Bern  is  now  the  largest  lumber  produc- 
ing point  in  North  Carolina,  and  exceeded  the  next  largest  shipping  point  for  the  same  period 
by  over  25,000,000  feet,  or  $388,432.31  in  value. 

Banking  Institutions  the  Backbone  of  a  Community 

Among  the  i)anking  institutions  of  the  city  optimism  }»revails,  and  all  signs  of  the  1907- 
09  financial  de]U'ession  are  l)ut  memories  of  the  past.    We  do  not  know  of  any  town  in  the 


18 


state  whose  banking  houses  look  after  the  interests  of  their  depositors  more  consideratelv 
and  liberally  than  do  the  New  Bern  banks. 

The  National  Bank  of  New  Berne  and  the  New  Bern  Banking  &  Trust  Company,  both 
strong,  sound  and  reliable,  have  served  the  public  long  and  faithfully  and  enjoy  absolutely 
the  confidence  of  the  whole  community  and  a  very  large  patronage. 

The  P&oples  Bank,  which  opened  its  doors  to  the  New  Bern  public  in  October,  1907,  has 
had  a  phenomenal  growth,  having  more  than  doubled  its  deposits  each  year  of  its  existence. 
This  bank  is  also  well  managed  and  likewise  enjoys  the  confidence  of  the  entire  community. 
All  of  the  New  Bern  banks  maintain  savings  departments  which  share  in  full  measure  the 
success  of  the  parent  institution. 

Well  conducted  banking  houses  are  one  of  the  greatest  assets  a  growing  community  could 
possess  and  the  Chamber  of  Commerce  heartily  commends  the  New  Bern  banks  to  all  who 
contemplate  locating  in  our  city  and  may  desire  to  open  an  account  in  a  reliable  banking- 
institution. 


WATER  FACILITIES 

New  Bern  enjoys  excellent  water  facilities  and  is  an  inland  port  of  consideral)le  impor- 
tance. 

Being  situated  at  the  confluence  of  two  rivers,  the  Neuse  1 1-4  miles,  and  the  Trent,  1-2 
mile  wide,  ample  facilities  for  increased  water  traffic  and  commerce  are  afforded.  Excellent 
docking  and  shipping  facilities  are  found  on  both  sides  of  the  rivers.  New  Bern  is  only  20 
miles  from  the  Adams  Creek-Beaufort  ship  canal,  which  will  when  completed  in  the  early 
Fall,  give  a  12  foot  channel  at  high  water  and  10  foot  at  lower  water  from  the  Neuse  river  to 
the  Atlantic,  affording  direct  intercourse  between  New  Bern  and  the  outside  world  by  large 
vessels  and  steamers. 


»Hse  Hirer  at  >ew  Bern,  C. 


19 


FISH  AND  OYSTERS 


The  fish  and  oyster  market  of  New  Bern  is  known  far  and  wide.  Few  places  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  otfer  a  greater  variety  of  fish  and  oysters  than  does  New  Bern,  where  nearly 
all  varieties  of  fish  are  handled  in  season,  throughout  the  entire  year,  while  oysters  of  ex- 
cellent quality  are  to  be  had  in  great  abundance  eight  months  of  the  year.  The  run  of  fish 
for  the  past  year  in  the  waters  of  Eastern  North  Carolina  have  been  unusually  heavy  and  the 
volume  of  business  in  this  line  at  New  Bern  this  year  exceeded  that  of  the  previous  year  by 
a  very  considerable  amount.  There  are  a  nmnber  of  firms  in  the  city  who  pack  and  ship  fish 
and  oysters  to  all  parts  of  the  country. 

HUNTING  AND  FISHING 

TJie  hunting  around  New  Bern  during  the  winter  season  is  very  fine.  Ducks,  geese,  deer, 
bears,  foxes  and  (juail  are  plentiful  and  alford  sportsmen  much  pleasure. 

Fishing  during  the  Spring  and  Summer  months  in  the  waters  around  New  Bern  is  very 
good  and  all  who  are  fond  of  the  sport  may  ])e  assured  a  good  time. 

INLAND  WATERWAY 

This  canal  is  the  first  link  to  l;e  constructed,  of  the  great  intra-costral  waterway,  which 
will  ultimately  connect  the  New  England  and  Florida  coasts.  The  appropriation  granted  by 
Oongress  for  the  construction  of  this  ship  canal  was  $550,000,  and  after  it  is  completed,  the 
traffic  and  shipping  passing  through  the  same  is  expected  to  be  sufficiently  heavy  to  justify 
fui'ther  improvements  and  a  greater  depth  must  of  necessity  follow. 

It  v/ill  readily  be  seen  that  these  improvements  will  greatly  increase  New  Bern's  pres- 
tige as  an  important  commercial  point  and  with  her  excellent  water  and  railroad  facilities  she 
is  destined  to  become  one  of  the  greatest  places  in  the  State. 

RAILROADS  - 

New  Bern  forms  the  hub  of  the  wheel  of  railroads  that  diverge  in  five  directions.  North, 
East,  South  and  West,  placing  the  city  in  touch  with  the  outside  world  and  within  a  few 
hours  of  the  leading  cities  of  the  country,  only  one  hour  to  the  Atlantic  ocean,  a  few  hours  to 
AVilminjvton  and  Raleigh;  twelve  hours  to  Charleston;  six  hours  to  Norfolk;  ten  hours  to 
liiehmond  and  twenty  hours  to  New  York,  with  double  daily  passenger  trains  in  all  direc- 
tions. Both  the  Norfolk  Southern  Railroad  Company  and  the  Atlantic  Coast  Line  are  alive 
to  the  importance  of  New  Bern  as  a  valuable  shipping  point,  and  many  very  decided  Im- 
provements are  expected  to  eventuate  in  the  near  future  in  connection  with  these  lines. 

IMPROVEMENTS 

Street  improvements  have  held  the  attention  of  the  New  Bern  public  for  the  past  year 
and  a  half,  and  in  three  elections  during  that  period  our  citizens  have  shown  their  public 
spiritness  hj  voting  for  bonds  as  a  means  of  raising  money  sufficient  to  carry  on  the  improve- 
ments, until'  we  dare  say — few  towns  in  the  State  the  size  of  New  Bern  can  show  better 
streets  and  sidewalks. 

HOTELS 

New  Bern  is  well  equipped  in  the  way  of  good  hotels.  The  Gaston,  one  of  the  best  in  the 
State,  is  modern,  in  every  particular  and  has  proven  exceedingly  popular  with  the  traveling 
public  and  is  maintaining  the  reputation  won  when  opened  to  the  public  two  years  ago. 

The  Gem  Hotel  is  kept  in  excellent  manner  and  is  giving  entire  satisfa^^tion  to  its  many 


20 


Interior  View,  Hotel  Gastou,  Xew  Beru,  X.  C. 

patrons,  successfully  catering  to  a  large  and  appreciative  patronage.  This  hotel,  like  the 
Gaston  is  new,  and  every  thing  is  modern  and  up-to-date. 

The  Hazeltou  caters  to  lodgers  and  is  also  caring  for  its  patrons  in  a  most  satisfactory 
style. 

Various  first-class  boarding  houses  alford  excellent  service  and  care  for  patrons  in  a  sat- 
isfactory manner. 

CLIMATE 

The  climatic  conditions  of  New  Bern  are  very  good.  No  extremes  of  winter  and  smumer. 
Summers  ai  e  cooled  by  deliglitful  breezes  from  the  sounds  and  rivers,  the  average  summer  or 
maximum  temperature  in  the  mouth  of  July  being  75  degrees. 

The  winters  are  short,  mild  and  delightful.  No  snow  has  fallen  for  the  past  three  years, 
except  one  or  two  slight  flurries,  that  failed  to  cover  the  ground.  Cold  spells  are  short  and 
the  average  minimum — January  temperature  is  -10  degrees.  Outdoor  life  during  the  winter 
months  at  New  Bern  is  pleasant  and  exhilarating  and  is  enjoyed  by  a  large  colony  of  North- 
ern tourists,  some  of  whom  own  winter  homes  in  the  city. 

HEALTH 

The  health  of  New  Bern  is  excellent  and  compares  favorably  with  the  rest  of  the  world, 
pneumonia,  lagrippe  and  kindred  diseases  which  often  prove  fatal  in  bleaker  climates  are 
mild  in  form  and  infrequent,  while  typhoid,  so  prevalent  and  oftentimes  fatal  in  higher  alti- 
tudes is  remote  and  seldom  fatal.  Malaria,  which  formerly  prevailed  here  as  at  most  other 
places,  has  been  conquered  to  a  very  considerable  degree,  by  exterminating  mosquitoes,  and 
if  the  body  is  protected  from  the  poison  of  their  stings  during  the  summer  months  no  danger 
of  "catching  malaria"  exists  absolutely. 

Longevity  is  great  and  the  death  rate  is  very  low  at  New  Bern,  aud  we  challenge  any 


21 


city,  anywiit'Te,  to  sliow  l)etter  health  conditions,  or  healthier  looking  inhal)itants  than  are 
found  at  New  Bern. 

Educational  Advantages  "Athens  of  North  Carolina'* 

New  Bern  is  very  prond  of  its  schools.  The  puljlic  schools  are  excellent  in  every  way 
and  are  fitting  the 'children  and  youth  of  the  city  for  entrance  into  the  various  State  colleges 
and  seminaries,  or  for  successful  business  careers.  All  branches,  including  manual  training, 
cooking  and  sewing  are  successfully  taught. 

Up  to  a  quarter  century  ago  one  building,  the  same  that  was  built  about  the  year  of  1766 
— nearly  150  years  ago,  which  is  well  preserved — was  deemed  sufficient  for  the  necessities 
of  that  time.  Now  there  are  two  other  spacious  brick  buildings,  the  third  having  been  com- 
pleted a  year  or  so  ago,  containing  an  excellent  auditorium  with  a  seating  capacity  of  600, 
which  is  said  to  be  the  finest  public  school  auditorium  in  the  State. 


liiiikliiigs  of  tlie  ISew  Beru  diraded  Schools. 

New  Bern  is  alive  to  the  necessity  of  having  the  very  best  educational  advantages  and 
with  the  ever  increasing  facilities  for  the  proper  training  of  her  youth  the  soubrequet,  "The 
Athens  of  North  Carolina,"  which  she  has  enjoyed  for  over  a  century  still  clings  ineffacably, 
though  gracefully  to  her  laurel  bedecked  brow. 

A  very  commodious  and  dural)le  brick  ])uilding  has  recently  been  built  for  the  colored 
children  of  the  city  at  a  cost  of  al:out  .■|^7,()!)0.()0, 

GOVERNMENT  BOATS 

The  Government  maintains  several  boats  at  New  Bern.  The  revenue  cutter  "Pamlico" 
looks  after  the  port  and  sounds  below  the  city,  and  the  "Elfrida,"  a  large  yacht  which  has 
been  turned  over  to  the  Naval  Reserves  for  cruising  purposes.  The  Government  has  recently 
assigned  the  torpedo  lioat  "Dupont"  to  this  ])ort  for  use  of  the  various  divisions  of  the  Naval 
Eeserves. 


22 


i 


S.  Torpedo  Boat  "Dupoiit,"  Uuiiho.it  "Elfridii"  iii  rear  tied  to  »ioeK. 


23 


PURE  DRINKING  WATER 


The  drinking  water  at  New  Bern  is  gotten  from  deep  artesian  wells,  of  wliicli  there  are  six, 
and  is  exceedingly  fine  and  healthful.  The  water  supply  is  under  sanitary  regulation  of  the 
city,  the  plant  being  municipally  owned  and  controlled,  and  the  water  analyzed  at  stated  and 
sufficient  periods  hy  the  State  Board  of  Health. 

CHURCHES 

New  Bern  is  blessed  with  a  full  complement  of  churches  of  practically  all  denomina- 
tions, some  of  which  are  new  and  handsome  edifices,  while  others  are  old,  yet  having  their 
interiors  in  keeping  with  latter  day  requirements.  The  Methodist  Church  is  possibly  one  of 
the  handsomest  buildings  of  its  kind  in  the  State,  and  the  Christian  Science  hall  and  Jewish 
Synagogue  are  new  and  attractiv'?  buildings,  being  worthy  of  especial  mention. 


Ceittenary  Motliodist  Church. 


24 


2") 


LIGHT  AND  SEWER  SYSTEM 


The  city  is  lighted  throughout  by  electricity,  the  plant  being  owned  by  the  city,  as  well 
as  the  sewerage  system,  both  of  which  are  well  conducted.  A  modern  gas  plant  owned  by 
Northern  capitalists,  supplies  an  excellent  grade  of  gas  for  illuminating  and  cooking  pur- 
poses at  moderate  rates. 


Good  roads  are  the  order  of  the  day.  There  are  ten  or  fifteen  miles  of  excellent  sand  and 
clay  roads  leading  into  New  Bern,  and  others  are  being  prepared  and  will  be  in  good  condition 
very  soon.  Good  roads  prove  a  most  valuable  asset  to  any  community  and  our  county  officers, 
the  farmers,  and  the  general  public  are  deeply  interested  in  the  good  work  that  is  going  on 
here  in  that  direction. 


With  an  abundant  yield  of  cotton — 6,00 J  bales  having  been  sold  on  the  New  Bern  market 
this  season,  an  inexhaustible  supply  of  timber  of  all  kinds,  fertile  fields  that  are  capable  of 
supplying  food  requirements  for  thousands  of  inhabitants  without  outside  aid;  with  deep 
water  on  both  sides  of  the  city  (penmsula  as  to  shape)  affording  desirable  sites  on  railroads 
and  water,  as  well  as  on  opposite  sides  of  the  Neuse  and  Trent  rivers;  with  its  continuous 
stretch  of  inland  water  of  over  100  miles,  extending  through  Pamlico,  Croatan  and  Albe- 
marle Sounds,  alive  with  fish  and  game,  and  the  great  inland  waterway,  which  will  ultimately 
connect  Cape  Cod  and  the  far  South,  practically  at  its  very  door,  opening  up  channels  of  com- 
merce to  all  parts  of  the  world,  on  a  parity  with  Norfolk,  Wilmington,  Charleston,  Savannah, 
etc.;  with  railroads  crossing  both  rivers  and  grid-ironing  the  city  and  surrounding  territory. 
New  Bern  bids  fair  to  become  one  of  the  most  important  cities  on  the  South  Atlantic  Sea- 
board. 


Plant  of  JV'ew  Bern  das  t'onipanj. 


GOOD  ROADS 


BRIGHT  FUTURE 


26 


Jewish  Sjuagogiie,  >'ew  Bern,  A\  C. 


Roman  Catholic  Church,  >ew  Bern.  N.  C, 


Presbj  teriau  Cliurch,  New  Bern.  N.  C. 


Craven  Connty  Court  Honse  and  Jail,  >ew  Bern,  N 


Eiiising  Pork  for  Market,  »w  V.fnu  >.  f. 


29 


30 


3! 


John  L.  Roper  Lumber  Coinyanj,  \e\v  Bern,  N.  t'. 


i/ate  Due 


I 


DUKE  UNIVERSITY 
LIBRARY 


DURHAM,  NORTH  CAROLINA 
27706 


